The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-06-22
JEANIE'S BOX.
A Tale of Boarding-school Life During
the Confederacy.
BY JENNIE E. ,upsos.
Copyrighted, 1871

tCopvrighted, 1871
The box had arrived Jeanne saw it at
noon in the hall, as she passed to the dining
room.
How her eyes sparkled as she read her
name inscribed upon it in large black let
tersl
~ will send you a few articles" her
mother had written, (which l bought in
Vicksburg, after passing through the
enemy's lines. You will enjoy their novelty
am sure" And this was the only clue to
the interesting contents.
Bessie Devine, in whose arm her own was
linked, had also seen the box, and Jeanne
fanoied slight shade of disdain had passed
over that young persons expressive features
on noting its size.
"Ahl" thought Jean, "Bessie is thinking
of her own last box from home with its
gallon of parched and hulied peanuts, its
peck of hickory nuts, chincapins and chest
nuts, its baked sweet potatoes, buttered while
hot, its Confederate fruit cake, made with
spice and minced dried apples, its ham, its
jeff Davis pies and beat biscuits. OF course
it was an elegant box and very large, but
then she lives on plantation only twenty
in dear old mississippi. Besides gieefuily,
II fancy Miss Bess'll enjoy the contents OF
my box if she does find il small'
How YEARLY the afternoon dragged by |
Would its tagging hours never pass?
Instead of solving the problems for the last
hours recitation, Jean spent the study-time
in drawing a picture. 1t represented her
mother sitting very erect on a woodenly con-
structed horse, presenting slip of paper to
soldier whose aspect was one of exceeding
ferceness. In the background other fierce
looking soldiers were grouped. This scene
bore the legend, mother Passing Through
the Lines"
Half-past four and school was out at last.
The day scholars filed off down the long
terraced walk, and the boarders through the
wide breezy corridor.
'Now for few blissful moments before
evening exercise" said Jean, as with Bessie
Devine and her two other roommates, the
twin sisters, Allie and Sallie Demarcus, she
sped swiftly to her room on the second floor.
The box sat just within the door with its
lid partially lifted. Jeanie's fingers trembled
as she turned back the protecting papers.
And now her eyes danced with delight as
they fell upon pair of dainty little slippers
'Just look, girls, just lookr' she cried
''isn't this splendid, after siege of wearing
boys shoes, odd shoes, shoes a couple of
sizes too large, carpet shoes, cowhide shoes
and SO on2 think / must try them on at
once"
mo, no." came from the girls in indignant
chorus; they are lovely, but we can't wait
now, Miss Cinderella. We must see the
other things nrst."
NOW, what is in this tiny bundle?" won
dered Jean, pressing gently its tissue-paper
wrapper.
isn't this pretty2" she exclaimed as she
held up before the admiring group yellow
silk hair-net with golden bead in every
mesh.
ut is perfect little beauty" said Allie,
taking it for inspection, land twill match
with your sunshiny hair, my pet"
"But oh. do smell, Sallie," cried lean,
handing a small bottle of perfume to the
nearest of her audience. SIS this not de-
licious ?''
"Ahl heavenly, sighed sallie, after an ecs-
tatic sniff.
1.-THE odors of Araby the Blest, !" said Bess.
Somewhat superior TO cinnamon drops
and the extract of lemon" laughed Allie.
ooh Jean, what this bundle be7"
asked Sallie, who had gone ON On exploring